Thomas Byrne
Question:71. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost to restore the visiting teacher service for Travellers. [46242/18]
View answerThursday, 8 November 2018
Questions (71)
Written answers
In May 2011 a range of functions under the Education (Welfare) Act 2000, including the operation of the National Education Welfare Board (NEWB) and the services under its remit, including the Visiting Teacher Service for Travellers, were transferred from the Minister of Education and Skills to the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. The Visiting Teacher Service for Travellers ceased in September 2011 in line with the mainstreaming of supports for all children including Travellers.
The full budget for the NEWB transferred to the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. Subsequently, the relevant functions and related funding transferred to TUSLA on its establishment in January 2014. Traveller children continue to be supported by the integrated Educational Welfare Service of Tusla.
My Department continues to provide a number of Traveller-specific supports to assist with the transition to the mainstream system of pupils, previously provided for in segregated provision. These comprise of:
- 141 alleviation resource teacher posts for schools with significant numbers of Travellers at a current cost of €8.46 million.
- Additional pupil capitation for Travellers at a rate of €70 per pupil for Primary, and €201 per pupil for Post Primary at a current cost of €1.11m
This Government recognises the importance of inclusive education for all and is supportive of actions that will ensure that the school setting is a more welcoming environment for all, including Travellers. The commitment to improve traveller retention and progression is reflected in a number of key policies and initiatives, including the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS), launched by the Department of Justice and Equality in June 2017, and my Department’s DEIS Plan for educational inclusion, also launched last year.
My Department’s DEIS Plan 2017 also has specific actions in relation to promoting improvements in school attendance and completion in order to improve educational outcomes and overall life chances for Traveller and Roma children and young people.
As part of the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy, officials from my Department, the Department of Justice and Equality and TUSLA have been engaging with Traveller representative groups to specifically identify and agree an approach to improving educational outcomes for Travellers and Roma. TUSLA is leading this cross-departmental initiative which will be piloted for a two year period to try to address the gaps outlined. My Department has committed to the allocation of additional Home School Community Liaison Resources to support this project. This pilot will inform the development of a sustainable programme to address the gap in educational outcomes for children and young people from the Travelling and Roma communities.